Hiking Alone in Rugged Appalachian Wilderness | Nantahala & Cherokee National Forest

4 days solo backpacking the Citico Creek & Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness areas in the Cherokee & Nantahala National Forests of Tennessee & North Carolina. This loop hike included pristine mountain streams, windy ridges, 360 degree views, wildflowers, and great camping. These areas do not get a lot of foot traffic and there were numerous blowdowns, but the juice was worth the squeeze! Recorded April 10th - 13th, 2022 Route Breakdown: Day 1: South Fork of Citico Trail → North Fork of Citico Trail Day 2: North Fork of Citico Trail → Fodderstack Mountain Trail / Benton MacKaye Trail Day 3: Fodderstack Mountain Trail → Big Stack Gap Trail → Slickrock Creek Trail → Big Fat Branch Trail → Hangover Lead Trail → Hangover Lead Alternate Trail Day 4: Hangover Lead Alternate Trail → Hangover Lead Trail → Haoe Lead Trail → Stratton Bald Alternate → South Fork of Citico Creek Trail Total Miles: 29.2 Instagram:   / outdooroperator   Subscribe for more content:    / @outdooroperator